Pallahara: A female elephant was electrocuted after coming in contact with an 11kv live wire at Bhadramunda Adivasi Sahi under Khamar forest range in Deogarh forest division of Angul district.
The incident occurred when the pachyderm was venturing into a farmland to eat crops late Tuesday night. According to forest officials, a herd of 6 to 7 elephants had strayed from Danda reserve forest to the village to eat crops. However, the jumbos tried to return to the forest after a pack of dogs began barking at them.
Meanwhile, the female elephant’s trunk came in contact with the live electric wire. The animal died on the spot after the wire got snapped and twirled around its body. The incident sparked tension among the locals who condemned the negligence of the electricity department. The wire was low-lying and not drawn at the required height, locals alleged.
Forest ranger Sukesh Chandra Satrusalya said an investigation was on. Necessary action will be taken against those who were found guilty, he added. The locals also flayed the negligence of the elephant squad deployed to track the whereabouts of elephants.
The squad consists of over 10 members each of whom is given a monthly remuneration of Rs 6,000 to track the movement of pachyderms. Locals demanded a probe into the incident and appropriate action against the guilty. PNN
